Meaning
Without someone's knowledge or consent, usually of something said or done that they would dislike, object to or feel betrayed by. Covers gossip, secret deals, hidden criticism and clandestine plans. Strongly disapproving: it implies deceit or disloyalty, in contrast to doing something openly 'to someone's face'. Disapproving and emotionally charged, always implying that secrecy itself is part of the offence. Regional use: General English.
Origin
Far older than often assumed. The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms dates the expression to the early 1300s, and Sir Thomas Malory used it in Le Morte d'Arthur (written c. 1470) in the words 'to say of me wrong or shame behind my back'. The metaphor is spatial and self-explanatory: whatever passes behind a person's back lies outside their sight, so speech or action placed there is hidden from their knowledge. There is no hidden historical story; the phrase simply grammaticalized the blind spot at a person's rear, and dictionaries treat it as a straightforward spatial metaphor.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- behind his back
- behind my back
- behind their backs
- go behind someone's back
Usage Examples
- They sold the shares behind her back while she was on leave.
- He was hurt to learn that the farewell party had been arranged behind his back.
- If you disagree with my proposal, tell me directly instead of grumbling behind my back.